Patent GB-770766-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to the anti-static treatment of synthetic products
Inventor: SCHOFIELD ARTHUR
IPC: C08G63/676
Filed: 1953-12-01
Abstract: Antistatic properties are conferred on synthetic materials, particularly textile materials, by impregnation with an aqueous organic solution of a polyester (as defined below) in which the polymer chain is from 2.5-8 units in length, followed by the removal of excess solution, drying, and the insolubilization of the polyester by oxidation at or above room temperature either in air or in a mixture of air and steam.  The polyester is prepared by the reaction of one molar proportion of one or more aliphatic polymeric polyhydric alcohols, such as the polyethylene glycols with 4-13 glycol units in the chain or polyglycerols with 2-8 glycerol units in the chain, with from one to two molar proportions of one or more aliphatic unsaturated dibasic acids or the anhydrides thereof, such as maleic, fumaric, mesaconic, citraconic or itaconic acid or anhydride (where such exists), preferably in an inert atmosphere and in the presence of an antioxidant, such as hydroquinone, and a catalyst, such as zinc chloride, p-toluene sulphonic acid or d-camphor-10-sulphonic acid. The polymeric polyhydric alcohols used in making the esters may be used in association with small proportions of nonpolymeric polyhydric alcohols, e.g. glycerol, mannitol, sorbitol or pentaerythritol.  The esters may also be made by interesterification processes or from the acid chlorides or anhydrides.  The products may be used directly or they may be first washed, preferably with a mixture of ether and benzene, to remove excess reactants.  As a catalyst for the oxidation and insolubilization, benzoyl peroxide or a cobalt or manganese salt, e.g. cobalt naphthenate, may be added to the impregnating solution. Hydrophobic fibres which may suitably be treated include those made from polyamides, polyurethanes, polyesters and polyethylene and its derivatives.  The Provisional Specification refers also to the use by themselves of polyesters derived from the unsaturated dibasic aliphatic acids and the non-polymeric polyhydric alcohols specified above.ALSO:Antistatic properties are imparted to synthetic textile materials by impregnation with an aqueous or organic solution of a polyester (as defined below) in which the polymer chain is from 2.5-8 units in length, followed by the removal of excess solution, drying, and then insolubilization of the polyester by oxidation at or above room temperature either in air or in a mixture of air and steam.  The polyester is prepared by the reaction of one molar proportion of one or more aliphatic polymeric polyhydric alcohols, such as the polyethylene glycols with 4-13 glycol units in the chain or polyglycerols with 2-8 glycerol units in the chain, with from one to two molar proportions of one or more aliphatic unsaturated dibasic acids or anhydrides thereof, such as maleic, fumaric, mesaconic, citraconic, or itaconic acid or anhydride where such exists, preferably in an inert atmosphere and in the presence of an anti-oxidant, such as hydroquinone, and a catalyst, such as zinc chloride, p-toluene sulphonic acid or d-camphor-10-sulphonic acid. The polymeric polyhydric alcohols used in making the esters may be used in association with small proportions of non-polymeric polyhydric alcohols, e.g. glycerol, mannitol, sorbitol or pentaerythritol.  The esters may also be made by inter-esterification processes or from the acid chlorides or anhydrides.  The products may be used directly or they may be first washed, preferably with a mixture of ether and benzene, to remove excess reactants.  As a catalyst for the oxidation and insolubilization, benzoyl peroxide or a cobalt or maganese salt, e.g. cobalt naphthenate, may be added to the impregnating solution.  Hydrophobic fibres which may suitably be treated include those made from polyamides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyethylene and its derivatives, certain cellulose esters and ethers and glass.  The Provisional Specification refers also to the use by themselves of polyesters derived from the unsaturated dibasic aliphatic acids and the non-polymeric polyhydric alcohols specified above.